Director of Major Gifts

DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS

REPORTS TO

Director of Advancement

FLSA STATUS

Exempt

JOB STATUS

Regular, Full Time (12 Month)

MISSION STATEMENT

St. Mary's Academy, sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary since 1859, is a Catholic high school for young women, providing a challenging college-preparatory education in a vibrant learning environment. Guided by the values and charism of the Sisters, St. Mary's fosters a diverse community and educates the whole person by nurturing spirituality, encouraging creativity, promoting justice, and inspiring a sense of global interdependence to prepare students for service and leadership.

SUMMARY

St. Mary's Academy is seeking an experienced fundraising professional to lead our major gifts efforts and Planned Giving program. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, the Director of Major Gifts will manage a personal portfolio of major gift donors and prospects while also establishing and overseeing Planned Giving as a key area of strategic focus for the school, working closely with the Director of Advancement and frontline fundraising colleagues to grow a strong, diversified giving pipeline.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, including current parents, parents of alumnae, grandparents and friends, and business/corporate partners, deepening relationships through consistent cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and meaningful engagement
• Build, elevate and oversee St. Mary's formal Planned Giving program, including developing planned giving marketing materials, identifying and cultivating legacy and bequest prospects, and establishing gift acceptance policies in partnership with school leadership and legal/financial advisors
• Develop a pipeline of major gift prospects and implement strategies to increase major gift revenue across all campaign categories, including formalized donor-giving circles and a partnership program.
• In collaboration with the Director of Advancement and senior fundraising staff, identify, cultivate and solicit major gifts for a variety of campaign needs, including endowment and capital campaigns.
• Work closely with the Director of Advancement and frontline fundraisers to implement a multi-year strategic development plan to grow unrestricted support and increase participation across constituent types
• Conduct in-person visits with prospects and portfolio members
• Identify best practices, opportunities for capacity building and growth, solicitation strategies, and stewardship for the major gifts and planned giving programs
• Collaborate with other development team members to create donor stewardship and cultivation strategies and events
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Advancement

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years of fundraising experience
• Proven record of successful fundraising results, including direct solicitation experience and relationship-building skills
• Ability to plan and execute a multi-faceted major gift program, including target goals, growth opportunities, strategic analysis of constituent groups and benchmarks
• Experience or demonstrated ability to manage a planned giving program, including annual planned giving strategy development and the ability to work with planned giving donor prospects
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Raiser's Edge experience desired
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks with attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience writing engaging and persuasive fundraising appeals
• Commitment to donor-centered fundraising and exemplary follow-through
• Desire to work under deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

PREFERRED QUALICATIONS

• Prior experience building or launching a planned giving program
• Familiarity with planned giving vehicles, such as bequests, charitable trusts, and gift annuities
• Experience in independent school or nonprofit fundraising environments

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to build strong relationships with a range of individuals
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive materials
• Self-directed, team player, accountable for scope of responsibility
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends related to events, donor stewardship opportunities, etc.
• Ability to connect St. Mary's mission with all fundraising activities
• Commitment to the equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging priorities of the school
• Willingness to embrace the Catholic tradition, the charism of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, and all-girls college preparatory education

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. This is a full-time, salaried, exempt, 12-month position.

St. Mary's Academy is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to our eligible employees:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage at no cost to employee only
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employer paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Vacation and sick leave
• Holiday pay
• Retirement 403(b) plan
• Paid jury duty
• Paid bereavement leave
• Life insurance
• Tuition remission for your daughter to attend St. Mary's Academy
• Employee Assistance Program

HOW TO APPLY

Position is open until filled. Qualified applicants are invited to submit their resume, cover letter, three professional references and salary expectations to Kirsten Goetz at kirsten.goetz@smapdx.org. No phone calls please.

Applications will be reviewed immediately.

St. Mary's is an equal opportunity employer.